Drillver tool

ABSTRACT

Retractable chuck for drill bits, screw bits and other tools for any chuck size operated by hand or power source which operates without the user touching the bits to move into operating position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,002 B1, issued Jan. 14, 2003, by Cummins, included by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to retractable quick change driver and, more particularly, to driver equipped to change drill bits, screw and other fastener driving tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Productivity of a laborer or of a machine is affected by the length of time that is required to change tooling in accordance with the task at hand. Such bits as drill, screw, hex, machine tool and others have to be changed for various tasks performed on the job. In many applications it can be required to have 10 or more sizes or types of bits to complete one job. Each time a bit or tool needs to be changed the operator must remove the old tool, locate the new one and insert it. Often times the tools are not convenient or must be located. They get mixed in with other tools, lost or can not be sized or chose ahead of time because there is no way to keep them sorted or have them readily available.

Other solutions do exist. One is to provide a holder on the outside of the machine in which one or more tools can be secured for close at hand means of acquiring them. Other solutions are to provide a machine with multiple heads in which a head may be turned and a new tool provided. In automated machines such as a computer controlled machines the computer tells the machine which tool is needed and the machines locates and changes the tool itself.

While other solutions do exist many have at least one disadvantage over the present invention. For example while an external tool holder does exist to hold additional tolls it is cumbersome and inefficient. Tools can easily get lost or be in the way when the machine is being used in restricted area locations. The tool holders do not permit fast changing of tools either. Where multiple heads or computer controlled machines are used they do not lend them selves to portability of a hand tool. They can be extremely expensive and large in size so do not lend themselves to a mobile service need.

It is therefore an object of the invention to lesson the time and ease of changing tool bits.

It is another object of the invention to increase productivity of the operator or machine.

It is another object of the invention to permit the user to remain free of contaminants by not being required to touch the tool bits.

It is another object of the invention to provide the user with a compact easy to carry multiple bit holding device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided retractable chuck for drill bits, screw bits and other tools for any chuck size operated by hand or power source which operates without the user touching the bits to move into operating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a left elevation view of a drillver in its complete and assembled form;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a barrel which holds the sliders and bits when not in use;

FIG. 3 is a side and top view of a head which accepts the tools and sliders when a particular tool is in use;

FIG. 4 is a side & top elevation view of a slider;

FIG. 5 is a side, top and end elevation view of a tool holder;

FIG. 6 is a side & top elevation view of a slider and tool holder connected;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a barrel showing the association between it and where the slider and tool holder fit in; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a barrel connected to a head depicting a tool in the hexagon tool holder.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a left elevation view of a drillver in its complete and assembled form.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a barrel 36 which holds the sliders and bits when not in use.

FIG. 3 is a side and top view of a head 48 which accepts the tools and sliders when a particular tool 68 is in use.

FIG. 4 is a side & top elevation view of a slider 54.

FIG. 5 is a side, top and end elevation view of a tool holder 70.

FIG. 6 is a side & top elevation view of a slider 54 and tool holder 70 connected.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a barrel 36 showing the association between it and where the slider 54 and tool holder 70 fit in.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a barrel 36 connected to a head 48.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a barrel 36, head 48 and sliders in place depicting one slider 54 in the potion for use with the tool 68 extended from the head 48.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a left side elevation of the present invention which incorporates a prior art hand drill 10 and present invention drillver head 32. The figure shows the removably attached power pack 24 that provides DC power to the motor mechanism 19 that is controlled by the motion selection switch 22. The direction of rotation of the screw driver bit 14 can be manually changed through positioning of the reverse and forward applicator 20 switch that is electronically attached between the power pack 24 and the motor mechanism 19. The screw driver bit 14 is slidably located in or out of the hexagon locking device 26 through the retractable head 16 thus providing the operator with a selection of bits for individual applications.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side elevation view of a barrel 36 which holds a plurality of sliders and bits when not in use. The barrel 36 is fitted with slider slots 34 configured into separate open sided tubular shaped slider barrels 42 arranged in a circular design around the perimeter of a the barrel 36. The internal portion of the barrel 36 is also cylinder shaped with a center hole fitted with a D slot 44 and washer 40 to prevent slippage when attached to the motor mechanism 19 shaft (not shown). Key tabs 38 of a semi circular shape permit alignment to the bead (Not shown) by indexing both pieces in a manner that permits extension of the slider slots 34 from one part to the other permitting the slider 54 (not shown) to travel back and forth unimpaired.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a side and top view of a head 48 which accepts the tools and sliders when a particular tool 68 is in use. The head 48 consists of a conical shaped device fitted with a plurality of threaded index pins 46 and a plurality of key tabs 38 for indexing and attaching the head 48 to the barrel 36 (not shown) in a secularly removal manner. On the sides of the head 48 are slider slots 34 that permit the slider 54 (not shown) to travel into the head 48. The most forward portion of the head 48 is reduced in size through a progressively smaller cone ending in a cylinder portion that further ends in a hexagon locking device 26. The hexagon locking device 26 consists of a hexagon shaped port fitted with a plurality of retractable locks 50 that are engaged or disengaged by means of the hexagon lock release 52. The hexagon lock release 52 is a spring loaded tubular slide that causes the retractable locks 50 to become pressured though its travel over and off of them. This hexagon locking device 26 then serves to retain the tool holder 70 (not shown) into position while being used by the operator.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a side & top elevation view of a slider 54. Comprising of a generally rectangular shank 58 equipped on one end with a thumb tab 56 for movement of the slide to and from by a human thumb and shaped in a general concave rectangular form. A lifting guide 60 is fitted opposite yet on the same end of the slider 54 which is general sloped to permit easy movement over irregularities in the slider barrels 42 (not shown). On the opposite end of the shank 58 there exists a stop 64 to prevent the slider 54 and tool holder 70 (not shown) from going past center when the tool holder 70 (not shown) is forced in an extended direction of tool 68 usage. There is a connecting slot 62 that protrudes through the shank 58 at the stop 64 end for attachments of the tool holder 70 (not shown). The slot consists of a circular hole which is slotted on a horizontal plane with the shank 58 to permit retention of the tool holder 70 (not shown) when the tool holder 70 (not shown) is removably attached.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a side, top and end elevation view of a tool holder 70. A tool holder 70 is comprised of a connecting shaft 66 that permits removable pivotal attachment to the slider 54 (not shown) by means of the connecting slot 62 and retailed in the connecting slot 62 (not shown) by means of the connecting shaft t retainer 74. The connecting shaft t retainer 74 when inserted through the connecting slot 62 (not shown) in it's indexed position and then turned 90 degrees prevents extraction of the connecting shaft 66. The portion thus described is permanently attached to the hexagon shaft 72. The hexagon shaft 72 is configured to receive the tool's shaft shape. In a preferred configuration the tool's shaft would be cylindrical in shape and attached permanently by means of epoxy through other means of attachment would occur because of the various tool's shaft configurations and tool's shaft being a prior art component.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a side & top elevation view of a slider 54 and tool holder 70 connected. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a slider 54 and tool holder 70 would be connected by means of a connecting shaft 66 on the slider 54 consisting of a generally rod shaped connecting shaft 66 ending with a T tab passing though a generally circular hole with a T slot.

A lifting guide 60 and thumb tab 56 cause the parts to align in the slider barrels 42 (not shown) and permit the operator to extend the tool 68 for use when extended into the hexagon locking device 26 (not shown) or retract the tool 68 into the barrel 36 for storage when not in use. The pivotally attached tool holder 70 is able to flex and move into the reduced diameter of the generally conical portion of the head 48 entering the hexagon locking device 26 unimpaired.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a side perspective view of a barrel 36 showing the association between it and where the slider 54 and tool holder 70 fit in. In a preferred version of the present invention the slider 54 moves through the slider slots 34 and rides in the slider barrels 42 (not shown). The barrel 36 is depicted removed from the head 48 (not shown), but key tabs 38 indicate where the head 48 (not shown) would be attached if present. The thumb tab 56 is eternal of the barrel 36 for use by the operators thumb. The thumb tab 56 which is general rectangular and concave in shape both prevents the slider 54 from falling into the slider barrels 42 and permits movement both extending the tool holder 70 to a position of use and for retraction of the tool holder 70 into the barrel 36 for storage. When extended the tool 68 fits into the hexagon locking device 26 (not shown) where it is retained. The barrel 36 is equipped with a plurality of slider barrels 42 to permit storage of a plurality of tools while the hexagon locking device 26 is capable of holding only one tool 68 at a time.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a side elevation view of a barrel 36 connected to a head 48. This assembled view shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The thumb tab 56 labeled indicates the position of thumb tab 56 when its connecting slider 54 (not shown) and tool holder 70 are in the extended use position. The other thumb tabs (not labeled) are depicted in the storage position. The tool 68 in use position along with its hexagon shaft 72 are shown in the head 48 and the hexagon lock release 52 in it's relative position on the head 48. A plurality of slider slots 34 are shown in their circumferential position around the barrel 36.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A drillver tool for lessoning tool changing time of drills and various driving tools, comprising: means for holding and storing screw and drill bits; means for locking the screw or drill bits into place so that they may be applied to the work task; means for retaining and locking the screw and drill bits into its core while serving as an attachment for turning to the motor; means for providing a location and guide for the sliders to travel; means for storing tools when not in use and permitting those tools to be readily available to slide into the head; means for housing and guiding the sliders and tool holders; means for directing the tools into the retainer for use or in reverse to direct the tools and tool holders back to the barrel for storage; means for releasing the locking mechanism on the hexagon locking head to release tools for return back to the barrel; means for sliding the tools into and out of the head; means for securely holding the tool and providing a hinged attachment for sliding purposes to the slider; and means for engaging the tool holder for retention of the tool holder while the tool is in operation.
 2. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for holding and storing screw and drill bits comprises a cylindrical, retaining retractable head.
 3. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for locking the screw or drill bits into place so that they may be applied to the work task comprises a general hexagon shaped, locking hexagon locking device.
 4. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for retaining and locking the screw and drill bits into its core while serving as an attachment for turning to the motor comprises a retaining, lockable drillver head.
 5. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a location and guide for the sliders to travel comprises a low friction coefficient, rectangular slider slots.
 6. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for storing tools when not in use and permitting those tools to be readily available to slide into the head comprises a cylinderical, rigid barrel.
 7. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for housing and guiding the sliders and tool holders comprises a cylinderical, low friction slider barrels.
 8. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for directing the tools into the retainer for use or in reverse to direct the tools and tool holders back to the barrel for storage comprises a conical, low friction, rigid head.
 9. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for releasing the locking mechanism on the hexagon locking head to release tools for return back to the barrel comprises a slideable, retractable hexagon lock release.
 10. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for sliding the tools into and out of the head comprises a flexibly rigid slider.
 11. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securely holding the tool and providing a hinged attachment for sliding purposes to the slider comprises a rigid, hexagonal tool holder.
 12. The drillver tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for engaging the tool holder for retention of the tool holder while the tool is in operation comprises a flexably rigid retractable locks.
 13. A drillver tool for lessoning tool changing time of drills and various driving tools, comprising: a cylindrical, retaining retractable head, for holding and storing screw and drill bits; a general hexagon shaped, locking hexagon locking device, for locking the screw or drill bits into place so that they may be applied to the work task; a retaining, lockable drillver head, for retaining and locking the screw and drill bits into its core while serving as an attachment for turning to the motor; a low friction coefficient, rectangular slider slots, for providing a location and guide for the sliders to travel; a cylinderical, rigid barrel, for storing tools when not in use and permitting those tools to be readily available to slide into the head; a cylinderical, low friction slider barrels, for housing and guiding the sliders and tool holders; a conical, low friction, rigid head, for directing the tools into the retainer for use or in reverse to direct the tools and tool holders back to the barrel for storage; a slideable, retractable hexagon lock release, for releasing the locking mechanism on the hexagon locking head to release tools for return back to the barrel; a flexibly rigid slider, for sliding the tools into and out of the head; a rigid, hexagonal tool holder, for securely holding the tool and providing a hinged attachment for sliding purposes to the slider; and a flexably rigid retractable locks, for engaging the tool holder for retention of the tool holder while the tool is in operation.
 14. A drillver tool for lessoning tool changing time of drills and various driving tools, comprising: a cylindrical, retaining retractable head, for holding and storing screw and drill bits; a general hexagon shaped, locking hexagon locking device, for locking the screw or drill bits into place so that they may be applied to the work task; a retaining, lockable drillver head, for retaining and locking the screw and drill bits into its core while serving as an attachment for turning to the motor; a low friction coefficient, rectangular slider slots, for providing a location and guide for the sliders to travel; a cylinderical, rigid barrel, for storing tools when not in use and permitting those tools to be readily available to slide into the head; a cylinderical, low friction slider barrels, for housing and guiding the sliders and tool holders; a conical, low friction, rigid head, for directing the tools into the retainer for use or in reverse to direct the tools and tool holders back to the barrel for storage; a slideable, retractable hexagon lock release, for releasing the locking mechanism on the hexagon locking head to release tools for return back to the barrel; a flexibly rigid slider, for sliding the tools into and out of the head; a rigid, hexagonal tool holder, for securely holding the tool and providing a hinged attachment for sliding purposes to the slider; and a flexably rigid retractable locks, for engaging the tool holder for retention of the tool holder while the tool is in operation. 